2006 was the driest year on record in many parts of Australia. Even though temperatures did not reach the history-making heights of 2005, new research published in November by the University of Melbourne and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) forecast temperature increases of 0.3 to 1.7C in most Australian wine regions by 2030.

Aldi's fine wine selection just got bigger with the addition of the 2003 Premier Cru Chablis Grande Rserve from Bovier & Fils. Atypical, having spent nine months in French oak, it retails for 7.99 and is available in Aldi's 300 stores nationwide.

Arthur O'Connor has moved from head winemaker at Seppelt in Victoria to the newly created position as head of winemaking at Codornu, while Jordi Ratera has been appointed the new technical director of Codornu, succeeding Juan Jos de Castro, who held the position for 37 years. Ratera has been with Codornu for 20 years, and most recently set up the new Codornu winery in the Napa Valley.

Hine is releasing its 1957 vintage - a Jarnac-matured Grande Champagne Cognac. Only five casks were laid down to mature, and director and cellarmaster Bernard Hine describes the 1957 vintage as an exceptional year, with a perfect balance between floral and fruit hints'.

Research commissioned by Wine+, the new on-trade wine show, and undertaken by Wine Intelligence in more than 20 white table-cloth restaurants in London has revealed gross variations in wine prices in restaurants.

In response to Jackson Wine Estates International's recent appointment of J E Fells & Sons as its UK agent, James Tookey, formerly in charge of European sales, has been appointed UK Sales Manager, and will manage the relationship with Fells.

Readers of these pages will recall how a few months ago we reported that the EU Commission had ruled that no member nation could use the name Tokay', or soundalikes, for wine except the Hungarians, giving several years' notice before putting the ruling into effect.

Laurent-Perrier has appointed Steve Brandwood to the newly created position of UK sales director, responsible for sales of Laurent-Perrier, Marqus de Riscal, Trinity Hill and Thorn-Clark to all UK trade sectors.